Minnesota is home to an impressive variety of wildlife, including the resourceful coyotes. These resourceful animals have managed to adapt and thrive in both rural and urban settings across Minnesota. While encountering one can be thrilling, it’s essential that we understand their behaviors and take appropriate precautions to ensure both their wellbeing and our own. In this article we’ll examine their presence here in Minnesota as well as provide advice if one comes upon you.
Coyotes in Minnesota: Coyotes (Canis latrans) have long occupied Minnesota, and their population has steadily grown over time. These intelligent, adaptable animals have successfully adapted to various landscapes including forests, grasslands and urban environments while feeding on small mammals, birds, fruits, and garbage sources opportunistically omnivorously. While generally avoiding human contact they may occasionally venture into suburban neighborhoods searching for food or suitable habitat.
Coyote behavior: Understanding coyote behavior is vital when encountering one in the wild. Coyotes generally shy away from humans, often avoiding direct contact and tend to avoid direct confrontation; however, if one should make itself known it’s important to remember:
Keep your distance: Always maintain an appropriate distance when approaching or cornering a coyote, giving them room to retreat if needed.
Do not feed coyotes: Feeding coyotes can lead to their becoming habituated and losing their natural fear, making them bolder and more likely to approach humans.
Secure garbage and pet food: To reduce coyotes’ interest in your property, remove food sources that might attract them such as garbage bins or pet food bins.
Safety Precautions: In the rare instance that a coyote starts acting aggressively or showing symptoms of illness, take these precautions:
Stand tall and make noise: To dissuade a coyote from approaching you, raise your arms high, shout loudly and make loud noises to intimidate and scare it away.
Back Away Slowly: Don’t turn away abruptly or turn your back on the coyote; rather, back away slowly while keeping eye contact and slowly and calmly retreat.
Use deterrents: Carry whistles, air horns or umbrellas as potential deterrents against coyotes in case one threatens. These devices could startle and disorient them quickly if necessary.
Reporting Coyote Encounters
It is vital that any encounters between coyotes and humans be reported immediately to local authorities or animal control agencies for evaluation and action as necessary. Accurate information allows wildlife management professionals to monitor coyote behavior more closely, taking necessary measures when necessary.
Living among Minnesota wildlife, such as coyotes, it’s essential that we educate ourselves about their presence and behavior. By being knowledgeable of them and taking necessary safety precautions we can protect both ourselves and coyotes simultaneously while contributing to conservation efforts. Remember to respect their wild nature while keeping a safe distance. Report any unusual or aggressive behavior to Minnesota Wild Animal Management immediately at (612) 386-1289, so we can live peacefully together while enjoying nature’s wonders!
